Ajaccio

The Imperial City

Everyone already knows Ajaccio, the city where the sun shines 300 days a year and where Napoleon the 1st and Tino Rossi were born; the Gulf of Ajaccio that inspired great interest with great writers an poets; and, of course, the ridge path, which is a beautiful path starting right in the centre, offering a marvellous panoramic view of the city and providing great insight on its culture and history.

Ajaccio is Corsica’s regional capital. Many neighbourhoods were built recently and the centre is clustered along two parallel axes: the Cours Napoleon and Fesh Street, while the old town is around the old port neighbourhood and the citadel.

Napoleon Bonaparte, the city’s child, had many monuments built here, and the informed amateur can admire Italian Renaissance masterpieces at the Fesh Museum on Fesh Street, as well as Bonaparte’s family house, on St Charles Street.

Tino Rossi is the other emblematic personality of the city. Until his death, he remained closely attached to Corsica. His family still lives on the road to the Sanguinary Islands, on his magnificent Scudo estate hidden behind the long outer walls protecting the collection pieces that relate the history of his career.

Every summer, crowds of tourists just off their ferries and planes, walk about the city to enjoy the beaches that can be found everywhere, even downtown. Pick the one fitting your mood: Barbicaggia for families, Scudo for the trendier ones or the isolated Petit Capo. In the evening, people enjoy the friendly atmosphere on the quays of the Tino Rossi harbour.

The Sanguinary Islands

A must-go! You must see the sun set on the four islands that will turn red or black, depending on the weather. Amateurs can admire more than 50 species of plants. You can take a boat to get there from Tino Rossi harbour in Ajaccio. That’s where you’ll get the most magical view from.

To discover the Sanguinary Islands in a different way, go to La Parata, take to the right near a small chapel on the Sanguinary road. From there, walk on the narrow path overlooking the sea. This pleasant stroll is suitable for everyone. At each bend, you’ll discover superb views over the Sanguinary Islands and Minaccia Cove.

The path ends on the gorgeous Capo di Feno Beach where, when the sea’s rough, you ought to beware of waves. This place is the favourite of Ajaccio-based surfers.